The Israel-New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS), was launched in November 2011, it offers 200 places to New Zealanders to stay and work in Israel for up to 12 months. It’s part of an agreement between the Israeli and New Zealand governments that aims to give young people from both our countries the opportunity to experience a new culture.
Israel boasts a youthful culture! Because there are so many things for a young Kiwi visitor to do in Israel—such as enjoy the great outdoors, classic historical sites, and vibrant city life of sun-baked Tel Aviv—the Government of Israel has decided to offer a limited number of young New Zealand visitors the chance to extend their trip with a working holiday visa.
The main assumption of the scheme is that participants in Israel must be there on holiday, with work being a secondary intention to their visit. Holders of WHS visa may, however, work for up to three months at any one place during their visit
Applicants are not required to provide evidence of a job offer.
First entry to Israel must be made within 3 months of the visa being issued and through Ben-Gurion airport only. The visa will allow travel-work and multiple entries to Israel up to 12 months from first arrival.
Upon arrival Border Control will issue a 3 month visa. During this period you will need to go to the Ministry of Interior branch in Ze'ev Jabotinsky Rd 168, Bnei Brak. This branch is in charge of all Working Holiday Visas. There you will receive an extension of the visa for the full year.
E-Mail:
visa-bnei-brak@piba.gov.il (attention Adva or Michal).
After the year is concluded you MUST leave Israel.
The visa allow travel-work and multiple entries to Israel up to 12 months from first arrival.
For more information in MFA website please go to here:
In English * Photos taken by Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
The other main requirements are listed below:
- Have a New Zealand passport valid for at least 18 months from the visa’s date of issue.
- Be aged 18-30 (inclusive).
- Not be accompanied by children.
- Hold a return-ticket from Israel.
- Have a minimum of NZ$3,000 in available funds to meet your living costs while in Israel.
- Have a medical certificate from a GP showing that you have an acceptable standard of health—which is to say, you are not sick with infectious or chronic diseases (such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea or HIV) that can be a danger to public health or impose significant demands on Israel’s health services.
- New-Zealand Police clearance certificate with apostille - for more inforamtion about apostille please visit https://www.dia.govt.nz/apostille
- Have proof of comprehensive medical insurance for the length of your stay.
- Have not held an Israeli Working Visa in the past.
How to apply
Step 1 - Provide the following documentation (by e-mail, mail or fax)
a. Fill in and sign the form “Application for entry visa to Israel” (
Click here to download).
b. A photocopy of your passport.
c. Pay fee charges
a) Fee charges are $85NZ.
b) Pay by cash, by bringing it to the consular in person.
c) Deposited via direct or online banking to:
Account Name: Embassy of Israel
Bank: ANZ
Account No: 01-0505-0439510-01
In the “Particulars” field: please write your full name.
In the “Code” field: please write the word “WHVisa”.
In the “References” field: please write your New-Zealand passport number
NB: If using online banking, please include receipt number and payment details with your application.
The Embassy reserves the right to decline any application without refunding the application fee.
OR by post:
Postal Address:
Consular Section
Embassy of Israel
PO Box: 25485
Wellington 6140
NB. Please include your contact information (postal address, email address, and phone number) so that our consular section can contact you.
NB. You will need to mail us by track and trace mail ONLY
You need to recive from us a letter for accepting the documents.
Step 2 - Provide the following documentation:
a. A copy of your return ticket to Israel.
b. A recent New Zealand bank statement.
c. A copy of your medical insurance policy.
d. A medical certificate.
e. A police-clearance certificate - Authenticated with apostil stamp - for more inforamtion about apostille please visit https://www.dia.govt.nz/apostille.
NB: You must provide the documentation in 1 mounth
We will then send your application to Israel for authorization. This usually takes about 2 weeks.
Step 3 - Make an appointment for identification:
If your application is successful, you will have to come to the Embassy in person for identification with updated passport photo (5x5cm - color)., so that we will be able to issue you with a visa valid for entry for three months from the date of issue. Upon your arrival into Israel, you will be issued with a multiple-entry visa, valid for 12 months, by the Passport Control Authority.
i) You must visit during our Consular Services hours:
Monday to Friday – From 09:30am to 12:30pm
ii) You must make an appointment with the consular section by:
Tel : 04- 4399514 b. E-mail:
consular@wellington.mfa.gov.il iii) Follow security procedure:
- Please bring photo ID.
- Every visitor and his belongings will be required to undergo a security check.
- For security purposes, no personal objects will be allowed into the mission, including handbags, mobile phones and electronic devices.
- Do not bring large handbags or suitcases to the mission.
- Do not bring food and/or beverage bottles or containers.
- The mission’s security directives apply to people in the consular waiting room.
- The instructions of the security staff must be obeyed at all times.
When arriving at the Embassy building, please press the button on the right of the elevator bank in order to declare your arrival to security.
Provide the consular with the correct documentation by post to:
Consular Section
Embassy of Israel
PO Box: 25485
Wellington 6140
NB:Please include your contact information (email address and phone number) so that our consular section can contact you.
NB:You will need to mail us by track and trace mail ONLY
* Photos taken by Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.